Workforce Development/Task Order 4 Director

About Chemonics
Chemonics International is an international development company based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to promote meaningful change around the world to help people live healthier, more productive and more independent lives. Since 1975 we have worked in 149 countries around the world, and currently implement 113 contracts in 68 countries. Our main partner is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), but we occasionally work with foreign donors as well. We have over 600 staff based in our Washington, DC office and over 3000 staff in our project offices around the world.

USAID/Lebanon Community Support Program (CSP)

This Five year project aims to support municipalities and underserved and vulnerable communities in providing better services and enhanced economic opportunities to improve lives and reduce tensions that contribute to conflict and violence in Lebanon. We’re a regionally based program, based in Beirut with activities in Bekaa, North, and South Lebanon. Chemonics is the sole owner of the Lebanon Community Support Program IDIQ contract. We are currently implementing five Task Orders: Task Order 01 (Operations and Management), Task Order 02 (Community Support Program, Stabilization and Development), Task Order 03 (Technical Assistance and Capacity Building) Task Order 04 (Workforce Development) and Task Order 05 (Wastewater Management).

1. Project Background

The Lebanon Community Support Program (CSP) is a multi-year project funded by USAID to support municipalities and underserved and vulnerable communities in providing better services and enhanced economic opportunities to improve lives and reduce tensions that contribute to conflict and violence, primarily in Lebanon’s North, South, and Beqaa regions. Under Task Order No. 4 (TO 4), the project will

provide technical assistance and other support to improve labor skills and job placement opportunities through partnerships with the private sector, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) organizations, municipalities, and other public sector entities.  The main objective of this 3-year task order is to improve skills and job placement opportunities for beneficiaries from vulnerable communities.

2. Summary of Position

The Workforce Development (WFD)/TO 4 Director is a senior member of the CSP team, charged with the overall responsibility of all performance requirements under the WFD program of the CSP IDIQ. Requirements include the overall leadership and management of the WFD program’s various tasks, including the technical oversight and creation of job placement opportunities through supporting TVETs and establishing linkages with the private sector; launching a scholarship and internship program for youth from CSP’s areas of intervention; and improving the enabling environment for TVETs to succeed. Reporting to CSP’s Chief of Party/IDIQ Director, the WFD Director will also serve as the main point of contact between Chemonics and USAID for all requirements under Task Order No. 4.   

3. Specific Duties and Responsibilities.

• Supervise the TO 4 staff including Relationship Manager, Scholarship Director, and Grants Manager to ensure effective implementation of workforce development activities.
• Assess workforce development needs and provide technical input and feedback related to the design and scope of a labor market study and stakeholders mapping deliverable that will serve as a foundation for the WFD program strategy.

• Lead the WFD program implementation in strengthening vocational training quality; improving job placement outcomes; establishing a scholarship and internship program; and cultivating an enabling environment for long term impact.
• Act as CSP’s primary WFD technical focal point, and lead advocacy and policy efforts as needed.
• With the Chief of Party, represent the progress, achievements, and challenges of the WFD task order to USAID.  
• Build relationships and represent the WFD program with other donors and programs implementing similar work, with an emphasis on complementarities with other programs in USAID’s Economic Growth portfolio. Seek opportunities for collaboration to avoid duplication; build efficiencies; and maximize impact.
• Establish and nurture relationships with target TVETs, private sector, municipalities, and civil society organizations, and other relevant public sector entities for the successful implementation of the WFD Program.
• Coordinate with other CSP task orders to build synergies and efficiencies to ensure the sound implementation of all interventions under the CSP IDIQ.
• Serve as lead report writer on the WFD program, including the writing of weekly, quarterly, and annual progress reports to USAID.
• Coordinate closely with the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) team to ensure activities are implemented to meet and exceed expected results and lessons learned are incorporated into the design and implementation of activities.
• Coordinate closely with the CSP’s Activity Fund Team to ensure sound and timely implementation of grants, subcontracts, and commodity procurements.
• Coordinate closely with the communications and outreach team to highlight the impact of CSP activities on WFD related activities.
• Serve as a member of the CSP IDIQ Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

IV.  Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in a relevant area such as economics, education, business administration, or other;
• Minimum ten years’ experience in economic growth type programming, with some demonstrated  focus on workforce development, supporting technical/vocational training centers, and linking job placement programs with the private and/or public sector;
• Senior level management expertise with international donors and international organizations including familiarity with USAID programs preferred;
• Experience working with ministries and other governmental and sub-national government entities
• Experience designing and/or implementing labor market assessments;
• Experience working on curriculum design, accreditation, and standardization activities preferred;
• Familiarity with grants, subcontracts, and commodity procurement with an emphasis on knowledge of USAID’s rules and regulation preferred;
• Experience working across Lebanon, specifically the North, Beqaa and the South regions;
• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English. Advanced writing skills in English required.

5.    Location of the Assignment

The TO 4 Director will be based in CSP’s main office space in Beirut and will be expected to travel to CSP’s areas of operation throughout the country as needed.

6. Reporting

The TO 4 Director will report directly to the CSP Chief of Party/IDIQ Director, or equivalent.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants that can legally work in Lebanon will be considered for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination.